J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2010 Oct;36(5):413-416.

Postoperative orocutaneous fistula closure using a vacuum-assisted closure system: a case report

• Lee SJ
• Kwon JI
• Lim KM
• Kim HJ
• Cha IH
• Nam W

Abstract

Fleischmann et al. first described the concept of using sub-atmospheric pressure to treat open or infected wounds in 1993. Since then, Argenta and Morykwas developed subatmospheric, or negative pressure dressings in 1997 as a means of managing complicated wounds. Since its introduction in 1997, the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has been used widely in general plastic surgery, general surgery, and orthopedic surgery to manage complicated wounds of the torso and extremities. However, there is a paucity of literature describing its use in the head and neck region, particularly in oral and maxillofacial surgery. We report a successful case of postoperative orocutaneous fistula closure using a VAC system in a 59-year male with a review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Mouth neoplasms; Postoperative complications; Cutaneous fistula; Oral fistula; Negative-pressure wound therapy

MeSH Terms

Cutaneous Fistula
Extremities
Fistula
Head
Humans
Male
Mouth Neoplasms
Neck
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy
Oral Fistula
Orthopedics
Postoperative Complications
Surgery, Oral
Surgery, Plastic
Torso

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. A. Initial wound. Purulent exudate discharges via cutaneous dehiscence with exposed muscle, B. Minimal granulation tissue covering neck wound after 3 days of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy, C. Results after 6 days of VAC therapy, D. Results after 8 days of VAC therapy, E. Results after 16 days of VAC therapy, F. Results after 18 days of VAC therapy, G. Results after 22 days of VAC therapy show almost complete granulation tissue coverage and dead space closure of wound anterior margin, H. Results after 26 days of VAC therapy show complete granulation tissue coverage, I. Results after 7days of VAC therapy completion show significant wound epithelization and contraction.

Reference

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